Helicoprion bessonowi

Helicoprion bessonowi is a fascinating, extinct species of chondrichthyan (cartilaginous fish) that lived approximately 270 million years ago during the Late Permian period. It is most famous for its distinctive, spiral tooth whorl, which was located in the lower jaw and could grow to be up to several centimeters in diameter. This unusual tooth arrangement is thought to have been used to grasp and slice through soft-bodied prey, particularly cephalopods like ammonites, which were likely a significant part of its diet. Fossil evidence of Helicoprion is relatively sparse, with most known specimens consisting of isolated tooth whorls, leading scientists to reconstruct the fish's appearance and feeding behavior based on these unique features. The spiral teeth, often compared to a buzzsaw, would have been continuously replaced throughout its life, much like modern sharks. Although its exact size and shape remain speculative, Helicoprion is believed to have been a relatively large predator, likely measuring up to 3 meters in length, with a body form similar to modern-day sharks.